National D.A.R.E. Day, 2002
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Illegal drugs are the enemy of ambition and hope, destroying
individual lives and undermining the health of our communities. In
addition to the tragic consequences of drug use for Americans and their
families, the drug trade supports terrorist networks that threaten our
country and our allies around the world. When we fight the war on
drugs, we also fight the war on terror.

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) curriculum plays an
important role in helping our young people understand the many reasons
to avoid drugs. D.A.R.E. is a series of lessons, taught by
specially-trained police officers, that encourages students to live
healthy, drug-free lives. According to the University of Akron
Institute for Health and Social Policy, the program operates in 80
percent of our school districts, reaching 26 million young people in
America each year. In addition to promoting the right decisions about
drugs, D.A.R.E. helps build relationships among parents, teachers, law
enforcement officers, and others interested in preventing drug use in
their communities.

My Administration is committed to keeping the fight against drugs
among our Nation's top priorities. I have proposed new goals for our
country, including a 10 percent reduction in teenage and adult drug use
over the next 2 years, and a 25 percent reduction over 5 years. My
National Drug Control Strategy is a community-based approach,
incorporating three core principles: (1) stopping drug use before it
starts; (2) healing America's drug users; and (3) disrupting the market
for drugs in our country. In addition, my 2003 budget proposes $19.2
billion for drug control. This includes $3.8 billion for drug
treatment and research, an increase of more than 6 percent over 2002.

Drugs attack everything that is best about our country, robbing
Americans, young and old, and their families of dignity and character.
Today, we recognize D.A.R.E. as a critical part in our effort to teach
young people how to avoid drug use and the devastating effects that
drugs can inflict upon their health and on their future.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 11, 2002, as
National D.A.R.E. Day. I call upon youth, parents, educators, and all
Americans to observe this day by joining the fight against drugs in your communities. I also
encourage our citizens to express appreciation for the law enforcement
officers, volunteers, and others who work to help young people avoid
the dangers of drug use.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth
day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-sixth.